Press Releases

Representative Sherrill Testifies on Urgent Need for Additional Support for Small Businesses; State and Local Governments

By JACKIE BURNS

April 23, 2020 at 6:47 PM

Content Options

Representative Sherrill Testifies on Urgent Need for Additional Support for NJ-11 Small BusinessesCredits:
Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill

Representative Sherrill Testifies on Urgent Need for Additional Support for Small Businesses; State and Local GovernmentsRepresentative Sherrill Testifies on Urgent Need for Additional Support for Small Businesses; State ...Credits: Office of NJ-11 Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill

By JACKIE BURNS

April 23, 2020 at 6:47 PM

Washington, DC -- Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) today testified in front of the U.S. House Committee on Small Business on the urgent need to improve the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and support our state and local governments in New Jersey. Representative Sherrill shared the stories of local businesses in the 11th District that have not been able to access funding through the PPP, and counties in the district that need support as they fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Additional funds to the Paycheck Protection Program is only the first step — we must take the lessons learned and apply them now,” said Representative Sherrill. “I hear from companies daily — a Nutley florist who cannot find a lender, an engraving store in Little Falls who cannot find out the status of their loan, a yoga studio in Verona whose bank stopped taking applications. And the list goes on. It’s not sufficient to merely add more funding. We must make it easier for businesses to access these funds and live up to the intention of the program we created.”

Thank you, Chairwoman Velazquez, Acting Chair Evans, Ranking Member Chabot, and the Subcommittee for this opportunity. Thank you to my colleague, Representative Kim, for advancing New Jersey’s priorities on this subcommittee.

Sign Up for Passaic Valley Newsletter

Our newsletter delivers the local news that you can trust.

You have successfully signed up for the TAPinto Passaic Valley Newsletter.

As many of you know, New Jersey is one of the hardest hit states in the nation. Along with New York, we account for 45 percent of the cases nationwide.

So I’m grateful for the Committee’s work in helping our struggling small businesses face this unprecedented pandemic.

I testify today for New Jersey’s small businesses and towns as we continue development of future stimulus packages.

I want to highlight two key issues I’m seeing in New Jersey:

First, additional funds to the Paycheck Protection Program is only the first step — we must take the lessons learned and apply them now. I hear from companies daily — a Nutley florist who cannot find a lender, an engraving store in Little Falls who cannot find out the status of their loan, a yoga studio in Verona whose bank stopped taking applications. And the list goes on.

It’s not sufficient to merely add more funding. We must make it easier for businesses to access these funds and live up to the intention of the program we created. The $10,000 EIDL grants, promised within 3 days, are now only marginally available — devastating small businesses in NJ-11 and demoralizing owners, who are fighting to take care of their employees.

Second, we must ensure direct funding for smaller towns and counties. The CARES Act took the first step of providing funding for states and larger localities, but ignored counties like Morris in my district, which falls just under the population threshold to qualify for the funds. For more-rural Sussex County, COVID challenges are still resource-intensive. Direct funding is critical to keep the fight up for our constituents.

We must rectify this. We must support our county officials and mayors as they face unexpected budget shortfalls through no fault of their own, on top of the COVID-19 crisis. Local electeds from towns like Hopatcong and Chatham Township are incredibly concerned about revenue loss from sources like construction permits (which have already dropped off because of the SALT deduction cap), and an inability of residents to pay property taxes.

Thank you for this opportunity. I look forward to working with you on a bipartisan basis as we move forward on critical legislation. Thank you very much.

WOODLAND PARK, NJ - Thomas Minardi never thought he would find himself in the situation he's currently in. The 59-year-old husband and father of three has end stage renal failure and is on peritoneal dialysis every night in order to live. He's a former resident of Woodland Park and is now in desperate need of a kidney.

Minardi was scheduled to receive a kidney and there was a tentative date ...

WOODLAND PARK, NJ - Thomas Minardi never thought he would find himself in the situation he's ...

Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, employers can grant paid leave for an employee to take care of their health needs related to COVID-19 or to care for their family members. This relief helps ensure employees are not forced to choose between being paid or staying home to care for themselves, a child or other family member.

In addition to the relief for employees, ...

Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, employers can grant paid leave for an employee ...

As Economic Impact Payments continue to be successfully delivered, the Internal Revenue Service today reminds taxpayers that some payments are being sent by prepaid debit card. The debit cards arrive in a plain envelope from “Money Network Cardholder Services.”

Nearly 4 million people are being sent their Economic Impact Payment by prepaid debit card, instead of paper check. The determination ...

As Economic Impact Payments continue to be successfully delivered, the Internal Revenue Service ...

The Internal Revenue Service announced today that later this summer taxpayers will for the first time be able to file their Form 1040-X, Amended U.S Individual Income Tax Return, electronically using available tax software products.

Making the 1040-X an electronically filed form has been a goal of the IRS for a number of years. It’s also been an ongoing request from the nation’s tax ...

The Internal Revenue Service announced today that later this summer taxpayers will for the first ...

NEWARK, NJ - As a result of Governor Murphy’s recent executive order and with approval by the Board of Public Utilities, Public Service Electric & Gas Co. will be resuming work as safely and quickly as possible. Our employees and contractors will follow protocols guided by the CDC and New Jersey State Department of Health, as well as all directives from state and local governments.

For ...

NEWARK, NJ - As a result of Governor Murphy’s recent executive order and with approval by the ...

June Payments Will Bring Supplemental Food Assistance Payments to $143M Since March

(TRENTON) – Many New Jerseyans who receive food assistance through the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (NJ SNAP) will receive additional benefits in June to help address critical food needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join Lidia Bastianich in her home kitchen as she gives viewers an intimate look into her life at home as she shelters in place due to the COVID-19 epidemic in Eating in with Lidia, two new half-hour PBS specials produced by WGBH Boston and Tavola Productions.

The renowned chef, author and food ambassador shares stories, tips, recipes, and strategies on how to approach food and meal preparation ...

Join Lidia Bastianich in her home kitchen as she gives viewers an intimate look into her life at ...

Washington, DC -- Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) supported a bipartisan measure in the House of Representatives Thursday afternoon that passed 417-1 to help New Jersey small businesses get needed relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bipartisan Payroll Protection Program Flexibility Act provides flexibility to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in order to make the program more ...

As Economic Impact Payments continue to be successfully delivered, the Internal Revenue Service today reminds taxpayers that some payments are being sent by prepaid debit card. The debit cards arrive in a plain envelope from “Money Network Cardholder Services.”

Nearly 4 million people are being sent their Economic Impact Payment by prepaid debit card, instead of paper check. The determination ...

As Economic Impact Payments continue to be successfully delivered, the Internal Revenue Service ...